New York/ New Jersey Harbor: Alternative Methods for Ex ... - CLU-IN

A listing of the compounds and their concentrations in the air stream can be found in
Table D-11 of the Biogenesis Sediment Washing Technology Final Report. In the pilot
study, the gas was determined to be in compliance with NJDEP standards for these
volatile compounds.
In the sediment-washing portion of the process, high-pressure water is directed
perpendicularly to the flow of the sediment to cause collisions between the sediment
particles. The impact between the sediment particles causes the remaining NOM, humic
contamination, and microorganisms to dissociate from the sediment. After separating
from the sediment, the contaminants enter the water phase.
Hydrogen peroxide is then added to the sediment slurry to oxidize it, and then the mixture
is cavitated. During cavitation, vapor bubbles are blown into the sediment mixture to
facilitate the breakdown of organic molecules to weak acids, water, and carbon dioxide.
After cavitation and oxidation, the slurry is separated into two phases: decontaminated
sediment in solid form and NOM, inorganic and organic contaminants, and residual
sediment particles in the liquid phase. Two centrifuges are then used to separate the
solids from the liquids. Although a hydrocyclone was not used in the pilot study, it may
be used in order to remove larger particles that may cause the balance of the centrifuge to
be disrupted.
Residuals
The waste produced by the Biogenesis process can be categorized into wastewater, solids,
and gases. In this pilot study, 298,000 gallons of wastewater were produced in the
decontamination of 700 cubic yards of dredged material. (Biogeneisis, 1-1 and 3-29).
Biogenesis contracted an outside company, PVSC, to dispose of the wastewater. The
wastewater consisted of stormwater and other residual fluids collected from the floor
drain in the processing area, aqueous centrate from the liquid/solid separation process,
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